<p>I received an email from the Portugal UPS people telling me the bikes and gear I shipped ahead for my global cycle around the world for cancer have been "arrested" by Portuguese customs. Using Google Translate, as it seems they are doing, can cause incorrect translations. (In another unrelated email from Portugal, the goodbye in the letter was translated as "good riddance.")</p><p>Unfortunately, customs has made a mistake as these are my personal used items and will be leaving the country with me as soon as I arrive. I actually mentioned this all on the declaration before I shipped the equipment, and UPS assured me there would be no problem at all. I did double-check, because when someone tells me there will be no problem at all it usually signifies that there will be. Bikes and personal sporting equipment are allowed in the country, exempt from taxes, I found in my research.</p><p>Well, now there's a big problem because they want 600 Euros (about $800 CDN) to release my goods from customs prison, and I'm running out of time fast! It's also interesting that the value of all my gear is the tax they want. It all strangely added up that way with all the taxes, fees, surcharges, etc.</p><p>I contacted the Canadian consulate in Lisbon, and they contacted the customs people to explain it was a mistake. Unfortunately, Portugal customs wants the money no explanations are sufficient. I even had a few friends I recently made there in the media try to help by contacting them in Portuguese. Still no luck. My poor bike has over 15,000 km on her, I dont know if she can do much time in prison.</p><p><a href="http://blogs.theprovince.com/2013/04/22/portugal-customs-prison/">Keep reading...</a></p>